Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


74 Imaging
51 Features
66 Overall
57
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Released January 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
- Announced July 2012
- Replaced the Panasonic G3
- Successor is Panasonic G6

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the G5 (16MP) is pretty similar but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and G5 (Four Thirds) have different sensor sizes.

The SZ-16 iHS was unveiled 6 months after the G5 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the G5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5. The full galleries are available at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Panasonic G5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic G5
SZ-16 iHS | G5 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
G5 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic G5
SZ-16 iHS | G5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2012 | Similar age |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS offers external measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic G5 has dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the G5.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and G5 is 89 and 74 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specifications. The image underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and G5.
Plainly, both cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The SZ-16 iHS contains the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF tougher.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic G5 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-01-08 | 2012-07-17 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine VII FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Total lenses | - | 107 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 10.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 lbs) | 396 grams (0.87 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 61 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 618 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 pictures | 320 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $230 | $699 |